Daniel Maxwell |
Professor

Program Director, Master of Arts in Humanitarian Assistance (MAHA) at The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and the Fletcher School of International Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University

Research Director at the Feinstein International Center, at The Friedman School

Daniel Maxwell is the Henry J. Leir Professor in Food Security and Research Director at the Feinstein International Center, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University. He leads the research program on food security and livelihoods in complex emergencies. In 2016-2017, he served as the Acting Director of the Feinstein Center. His recent research focuses on the re-emergence of famines in the 21st century and the politics of analyzing and declaring famine, as well as food security and resilience programming and measurement, and livelihood systems under stress.

Prior to joining the faculty at Tufts, Dan worked in East and West Africa for two decades in humanitarian agencies and research institutes in Uganda, Ghana and Kenya. His most recent position prior to joining the faculty at Tufts was Deputy Director for Eastern and Central Africa for CARE International.

He is the author, with Nisar Majid, of Famine in Somalia: Competing Imperatives, Collective Failures (Oxford University Press, 2016). He is the co-author, with Chris Barrett of Cornell University, of Food Aid After Fifty Years: Recasting Its Role (Routledge, 2005), and co-author with Peter Walker, of Shaping the Humanitarian World (Routledge, 2009). He teaches humanitarian action, humanitarian policy, and food insecurity in situations of crisis and chronic vulnerability.

Research Activities

Synthesis of Feinstein Center Work on Livelihoods and Resilience. USAID (PI). 2017-2018.

The Role of Sulfur Amino Acids in Risk of Kwashiorkor. OFDA, various (PI). 2015-2017.

Planning from the Future in Humanitarian Action. DANIDA/ Swedish MOFA (PI). 2014-2016. Review of the humanitarian “landscape” through multiple case studies, and recommendations for the World Humanitarian Summit

Food Security Response Analysis CIDA (PI). 2011–2012. Concurrent analysis of the ways in which agencies determine how to respond to food security crises, given a new range of options

Livelihoods Change over Time (II) SIDA (PI). 2011–2013. Longitudinal study of livelihoods and change in Tigray

Assessment Capacity Support (ACAPS) Assessment Capacity Project (Co-PI). 2010–2012. Study of the use of evidence in humanitarian response

Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security International Research Institute (Co-PI).2010–2011. Review of climate change and humanitarian action. Was intended to lead to further collaboration but did not